Day 4 - Game 3 - Sakurai Koukou vs. Higashi Fukuoka Koukou

Sakurai Koukou 3 (11 innings) 4x Higashi Fukuoka Koukou

The games are starting to get better and better. But again another injury changes the scope of the game.

Much like the prior game, Higashi Fukuoka's pitcher Mizuochi-kun was mowing down Sakurai's batters early with 8 of the first 9 outs via the K. Meanwhile, Sakurai's ace, Kamishima-kun was yet another contact pitcher.

Higashi would get on the board first. 2B Kumatani-kun leads off with a single to center. He's advanced to 3rd via a sacrifice bunt and a grounder to first. With 2 out, and back at the top of the order, SS Sakai-kun takes the first pitch to left, plating Kumatani. 1-0 Higashi.

Sakurai would come back in the top of the 4th. #3 batter Kataoka-kun reaches down to a low outside pitch and takes it deep to left-center field! The throw in is off line and Kataoka advances to third. The very next pitch, 1B Fujii-kun lines past the glove of first baseman Nishijima-kun (#17) and Sakurai takes the lead. After a sacrifice bunt to send Fujii to second, Nakanishi-kun hits the ball down the right field line scoring Fujii and giving Sakurai a 3-1 lead! Higashi's Mizuochi's day would be done after the next inning, replaced by ace pitcher Kohara-kun.

Sakurai was cruising along until the 7th inning. After the 1-1 pitch to Nishijima (#17), the umpire approached Kamishima and sent him to the dugout. He had apparently suffered an injury to his leg/foot, and after a delay, was unable to return. (This time it was not serious and he simply needed ice). Right handed pitcher Nagakawahara would come into the game and dispatch the side nicely.

Sakurai would have a chance to add-on in the 9th. After a fly out by Nakanishi, Okamura-kun grounded a ball to shortstop. But the throw is wide and Okamura advances to second. After a walk to Ohtani-kun they have a chance, but the next two batters strike out looking.

Entering the bottom of the 9th, Sakurai looked to close the game out. But Higashi would have none of it. Tsuruta would line a ball to center to start the inning. With one out, Nishijima-kun (#5) would bloop a ball to left field putting runners at first and second.

In possibly the key moment of the game, Handa-kun grounds a ball to Nagakawahara. But instead of trying for the double play (1-6-3), he looks to third first. But he finds no one there. He looks to second, but it's too late. So his only play is to first, leaving runners at second and third.

On the very next pitch, Kumatani lines the ball to right. Tsuruda scores, and Nishijima runs for home! The throw in is wide left and both the catcher Ohtani and Nishijima dive for home. Ohtani seems to get there first, but Nishijima gets the hand in and is safe! Higashi ties the game at 3-3 and we have our first extra inning match!

As the game went into extras, the advantage seemed to lie with Higashi. Sakurai's Nagakawahara had only pitched twice in the prefectural tournament, and only for 1 inning each. So one had to wonder how long he could last.

The sense of urgency pushed Sakurai to get a run. In the 10th inning, they would get a lead-off single from Demizu-kun. After a sacrifice bunt, it almost looked like they were going to semi-intentionally walk Fujii-kun. But on the 3-0 pitch, he swings away and grounds to second. And after a fly to center, Sakurai's opportunity flies away.

They'd get another chance in the 11th. This time Nakanishi would draw a lead-off walk. Again another sac bunt would send the runner to second. But neither Ohtani nor Nagakawahara could get the runner home.

Finally, they would run out of time. In the bottom of the 11th, Iida-kun would lead off with a single past the glove of Nagakawahara. Nishijima would walk putting the winning run in scoring position. It looked like Sakurai would get a small reprieve when Handa grounded to the third base, but Kataoka throws high! And while Fujii grabs the ball, he gets down too late and all are safe.

With no place to put a batter Nagakawahara works hard, but after working the count to 3-0, the end seems inevitable, and after throwing a strike he throws it high and walks in the winning run.

Truly heart braking for the Sakurai squad from Toyama.